Bicycle

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a bicycle having a driving force transmitting mechanism with oscillating fulcrum point. A sliding part is provided with a dust cover or a brush to prevent dust and the like from being entered therein and to remove the dust, if entered, therefrom. When a rider steps on the pedals alternatively, force of the pedal levers generated by the oscillation of the pedal levers is transmitted to the sprocket through the crank lever. When the pedal levers oscillate, an oscillating fulcrum point of the pedal lever is moved in a lateral direction within the sliding part. The rotating force of the sprocket is transmitted to the rear wheel through a chain. Even if the locus Q of motion of the pedal is different in the first half period (a stepping-on period) and the second half period (a stepping-up period), a smooth movement of the pedal is assured. Such a smooth movement can be kept enough by the dust cover.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to Japanese Application No.P10-224083 filed Aug. 7, 1998 which application is incorporated hereinby reference to the extent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a bicycle having a rotating forcetransmitting mechanism with an oscillating fulcrum point. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to the bicycle wherein a crank leveris arranged between a sprocket and a pedal lever to transmit forceapplied to the pedal lever to the sprocket and the oscillating fulcrumpoint of the pedal lever is slidable and wherein a sliding part isprovided with a dust-resistant means to prevent dust and the like frombeing entered therein and to remove the dust, if entered, therefrom.

2. Related Art

The conventional bicycle is operated such that the crank-like pedalsfixed at both sides of a shaft of the sprocket with a phase differenceof 180° are stepped on by a rider. The pedal lever is rotated around theshaft of the sprocket to attain rotating force of the sprocket and thisrotating force of the sprocket is transmitted to the rear wheel throughthe chain.

However, in recent development of the bicycle, there has been proposedto provide a bicycle having a driving force generating device with anoscillating fulcrum point, whereby the rider is less fatigued with ariding as compared with the conventional bicycle, and desired propulsionforce can be attained.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of the related art bicyclehaving the driving force generating device with an oscillating fulcrumpoint. In FIG. 1, a bicycle 60 having the rotating force transmittingmechanism with the oscillating fulcrum point is constructed such that afront wheel 61 acting as a moving wheel and a rear wheel 62 acting as adriving wheel are attached to a pair of delta-shaped frames 63, 64; ahandle 65 is attached to a front frame 63; and a saddle 66 is fixed to arear frame 64.

A wheel shaft 61 a of the front wheel 61 is rotatably attached toextremity ends of a fork section 67 a formed at the lower part of ahandle frame 67. Connecting portion 63 a constituting the front frame 63is extended longitudinally in a reverse direction to a direction thatthe bicycle is headed, from a holding part 63 c holding the handle frame67 rotatably.

Connecting portion 63 b also constituting the front frame 63 is extendedin a rearward and downwardly slanting direction from the holding part 63c. The extremity ends of these connecting portions 63 a, 63 b areconnected to a saddle frame 64 c. The saddle frame 64 c constitutes therear frame 64 and is substantially in parallel with the handle frame 67.The saddle 66 is fixed to this saddle frame 64 c.

Respective connecting portions 64 a and 64 b constituting the rear frame64 are extended from the connecting portions 63 a and 63 b. Theextremity ends of these connecting portions 64 a, 64 b are connected toeach other to hold the wheel shaft 62 a of the rear wheel 62horizontally. Respective gears 75R and 75L (not shown) are attached andfixed to both ends of the wheel shaft 62 a. FIG. 1 illustrates theconfiguration of the bicycle in which only the gear 75R at the rightside toward a direction which a bicycle is headed, is shown.

The gear 75R is engaged with a gear train, not shown, and the crank 76Ris fixed for transmitting its rotating force to the gear 75R through thegear train. A crank pin 77R is fixed to a position displaced in respectto a shaft 78R of the crank 76R. A right side pedal lever 72R holdsrotatably the crank pin 77R so that the crank 76R may be rotated withthe crank pin 77R.

The right side pedal lever 72R attaches a right side pedal 71R rotatablyat a front end thereof. The pedal lever 72R attaches a roller 73Rpivotally at a rear end thereof. The roller 73R is freely slid in asliding part 74R formed near the wheel shaft 62 a.

The pedal lever 72R acts as a lever oscillating upwards and downwardswith the roller 73R pivoted at the pedal lever 72R being applied as afulcrum point.

When the rider steps on the pedal 71R acting as a force applying point,the pedal 71R is moved in a counter-clockwise direction along a locus Sapproximating to a flat ellipse shape. At the same time, the pedal lever72R is moved upwards and downwards in a predetermined angle with theroller 73R being applied as a fulcrum point.

This motion allows the crank 76R to rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection around the shaft 78R through the crank pin 77R acting as alever force applying point of the pedal lever 72 a. At this time, theroller 73R acting as a fulcrum point for the pedal lever 72R is slid(moved) laterally within the sliding part 74R.

While the crank 76R is rotated, the rotating force of the crank 76R istransmitted to the gear 75R through the gear train. A clockwisedirectional rotation of the gear 75R causes the wheel shaft 62 a of therear wheel 62 to rotate for obtaining propulsion force of the bicycle60. The propulsion force enables the bicycle 60 to run.

Since a left-side pedal lever 72L (not shown) is provided with the samedriving force transmitting mechanism as that of the right side pedallever 72R described above, a rider steps on the pedals 71R and 71L (notshown) alternatively by his (her) right and left feet to obtainpropulsion force for the bicycle 60. Thereby, the bicycle 60 may run.

In the configuration of the aforesaid bicycle 60, a sliding part 74Rformed on an end of the connecting portion 64 b, is opened. Therefore,the foreign particles such as dust are prone to enter the sliding part74R when the bicycle 60 is set outside or it is fallen to the ground.Entering of the foreign particles causes the sliding part of bicycle 60to be injured. The foreign particles in the sliding part cause a faultylocus Q of motion of the pedal of the bicycle 60.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle in which asliding part is provided with a dust-resistant means to keep foreignparticles such as dust from entering the sliding part and to remove theforeign particles, if entered, therefrom so that a smooth locus Q ofmotion of the pedal can be assured.

In carrying out the invention in one preferred mode, we provide abicycle comprising a frame constituting a chassis, a steering meansattached to the frame, a seat means for seating a rider attached to theframe, a pair of moving wheels rotatably arranged at the frame on afront side and a rear side thereof, said rear moving wheel acting as adriving wheel, a sprocket arranged near a bottom bracket point in theframe, driving force transmitting means for transmitting rotating forceof the sprocket to the rear moving wheel, a pair of pedal levers havinga phase difference of 180° with respect to each other to oscillatealternatively up and down, a crank lever arranged between the sprocketand the pedal lever so as to transmit force of the pedal lever to thesprocket, a sliding part for acting as an oscillating fulcrum point ofthe pedal lever and dust-resistant means provided with the sliding part.

A sliding pin arranged at one end of the pedal lever is slid within thesliding part while the pedal lever is oscillated. The force accompaniedby the oscillation of the pedal lever is transmitted to the rear wheelthrough the sprocket.

In the present invention, force applied to the pedal by the rider istransmitted to the rear wheel under utilization of the crank lever, thesprocket and the chain. The force of the pedal lever is transmitted tothe sprocket through the crank lever. The oscillating fulcrum point ofthe pedal lever is moved, not fixed, laterally in the sliding part.

As the pedal lever is stepped on by the rider, the oscillating fulcrumpoint is moved laterally, so that even when the locus of motion of thepedal is different in reference to the first half period (from the upperdead center to the lower dead center) and the second half period (fromthe lower dead center to the upper lower center), a smooth motion of thepedal is obtained.

The sliding part is provided with dust-resistant means such as a coverto keep the smooth motion of the pedal without a hitch. Thedust-resistant means keeps foreign particles such as dust from enteringthe sliding part and removes the foreign particles, if entered, from thesliding part. If the foreign particles are prone to enter the slidingpart of bicycle 60 when the bicycle 60 is set outside or it is fallen tothe ground, the sliding part is not injured by the foreign particles anda faulty locus Q of motion of the pedal of the bicycle 60 does notoccur.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventionmay be realized by reference to the following portion of thespecification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a configuration of abicycle of related art;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating a configuration of abicycle having rotating force transmitting mechanism with an oscillatingfulcrum point, as a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged side elevational view illustrating aportion near the rotating force transmitting mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sliding part as a preferred embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the sliding part as shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a locus of motion of a pedal of the bicycle inthe preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a relationship in size of each of the parts ofthe rotating force transmitting mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing a sliding part of anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention, partly in section;

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of the sliding part as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view showing a sliding part of stillanother preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a brush used in the sliding part as shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the sliding part taken on line XII—XII ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a sliding part of further preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a view indicating a relationship between a rear wheel and aframe in connection with a sliding part of still further preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state that the sliding part of FIG. 14 isattached to the frame, partly in section;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the sliding part asshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the sliding part taken on line XVII—XVIIof FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the sliding part taken on lineXVIII—XVIII of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, some preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be described. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a bicycle10 using a rotating force transmitting mechanism 20 with an oscillatingfulcrum point, as a preferred embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bicycle 10 is constructed such that a frontmoving wheel 1 and a rear moving wheel 2 acting as a driving wheel areconnected by a pair of delta-shaped frames 3, 4. A handle 5 is alsofixed on the front frame 3 and a saddle 6 is fixed on the rear frame 4.

A wheel shaft la of the front wheel 1 is rotatably attached to anextremity end of a fork segment 7 a formed at a lower part of a handleframe 7. The handle 5 acting as a steering device is attached to anupper part of the handle frame 7.

Respective connecting portions 3 a, 3 b constituting the front frame 3are extended laterally and along an inclined downward direction from aholding section 3 c rotatably holding the handle frame 7. The extremityends of these connecting portions 3 a, 3 b are coupled to a saddle frame4 c constituting the rear frame 4. The saddle 6 is fixed to the saddleframe 4 c so that a riding-on height of a bicycle rider can be properlyadjusted as necessary. The saddle frame 4 c is substantially in parallelwith the handle frame 7.

Respective connecting portions (connecting frames) 4 a, 4 b constitutingthe rear frame 4 are extended along an inclined downward direction andlaterally from the two connecting portions 3 a, 3 b. The extremity endsof these connecting portions 4 a, 4 b are connected to each other tohold a wheel shaft 2 a of the rear wheel 2 in a horizontal state. A gear28 is fixed to the wheel shaft 2 a of the rear wheel 2. The force of asprocket 26 generated by oscillations of a pedal lever 22R istransmitted to the gear 28 through a chain 27. In the example shown inFIG. 2, a shaft 26 a of the sprocket 26 is set at a bottom bracket point(a crossing point between the frames 3 b and 4 c).

In this case, the pedal lever 22 is a linear lever (a pedal arm). A pairof pedal levers 22R and 22L are fixed to the right and left sides of thesprocket 26 with a phase difference of 180°, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates a case that the sprocket 26 is fixed on the rightside toward a direction that the bicycle is headed, in respect to eachof the frames 3, 4. An end of a crank lever (a crank arm) 30R is fixedto the shaft 26 a of sprocket 26 and the other end thereof is rotatablyhold to the pedal lever 22R.

The pedal lever 22R is equipped with the pedal 23R at an extremity endthereof, and fixes a sliding pin 42R (or a sliding roller) on the otherend thereof.

When the rider steps on a pedal 23 (23R in the case shown in FIG. 2),force applied to the pedal lever 22R is transmitted to the sprocket 26through this crank lever 30R. The sliding pin 42R acts as an oscillatingfulcrum point.

Oscillating mechanism in a case that the frame 4 b is a plate likemember will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 4 b is provided with a sliding part 40R.The sliding part 40R is arranged on an outside of the frame 4 b andplaced so as to be aligned with wheel shafts 1 a and 2 a of the frontand rear wheels 1 and 2 (see an imaginary line L connecting said wheelshafts 1 a and 2 a, as shown in FIG. 2). The sliding part 40R comprisesa housing of a rectangular solid in which a sliding groove 41R forsliding the sliding pin 42R is made. The sliding part 40R is opened atits one side.

The sliding part 40R is made of an oil-less metal and so on. Thereby, asliding friction of the sliding pin 42R can be reduced. The sliding part40R may be formed in one piece with the frame 4 b or be welt to it.

The sliding pin 42R (or the sliding roller) attached to said other endof the pedal lever 22R is engaged with the sliding groove 41R with aslight clearance and is slid laterally within the sliding groove 41R asa guide.

To reduce the sliding friction, both the sliding pin 42R and the slidingpart 40R may be plated. The plating process such as electroless platingprocess to perform film containing low phosphate and low boron with goodqualities concerning high hardness, abrasion resistance, heatresistance, good lubrication, shock resistance, etc., may be utilized(for example, plated articles, “Kaniboron” plated in accordance with theplating process by Japan Kanigen Corporation may be used). The slidingpin 42R may be made of engineering plastic in addition to metal.

The sliding part 40R is provided with dust-resistance means 50R. TheDust-resistance means 50R keeps foreign particles such as dust fromentering the sliding part 40R.

The foreign particles are prone to enter the sliding part of bicyclewhen the bicycle is set outside or it is fallen to the ground. Theforeign particles entered in the sliding part 40R cause the sliding part40R to be injured and a faulty oscillation of pedal lever 22R to occur.Rainwater penetrated into the sliding part 40R is prone to form rust inthe sliding groove 41R so that the sliding pin 42R cannot slide smoothlyin the sliding groove 41R.

FIG. 3 shows dust-resistant means 50R as an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration thereof.

The dust-resistant means 50R is formed as a fastener. Two dust-proofcloths 46R, 46R are provided so as to cover the opening portion of thesliding part 40R. Two dust-proof cloths 46R, 46R respectively have astrip 47R (47Ra, 47Rb) of interlocking one with another. The dust cloths46R, 46R are pulled together to interlock the strips 47Ra, 47Rb thereofand pulled apart to open them, by movement of a zipper member 48R.

The zipper member 48R has a pair of projections 49Ra, 40Rb connectedwith the sliding pin 42R as shown in FIG. 5 (Apin itself engaged withinthe sliding groove 41R is referred to 42R′ in FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the sliding pin 42R slides in a direction of anarrow “a”, the forward projection 49Ra sets the strips 47Ra, 47Rb apartto open the dust cloths 46R, 46R. This allows the sliding pin 42R tofurther slide in the direction of the arrow “a”. The rear projection49Rb and a rear portion of the zipper member 48R interlock the strips47Ra, 47Rb together to close the dust cloths 46R, 46R again. Thus, thestrips 47Ra, 47Rb can be set apart and interlocked inside the zippermember 48R. They are always kept interlocked outside it as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The dust cloths 46R, 46R can always cover the slidinggroove 41R. This keeps dust and the like from entering the slidinggroove 41R.

The crank lever 30R is attached to the pedal lever 22R so that the cranklever 30R is positioned near the upper dead center thereof when thepedal 23R is positioned at the uppermost position of motion. At the sametime, the sliding part 40R is set on the frame 4 b so that the pedallever 22R is engaged with the sliding groove 41R through the sliding pin42R positioned at a substantial central part (a central point) of thesliding groove 41R.

Accordingly, a right side from the central part of the sliding part 40Ris used for sliding the sliding pin 42R when a locus of motion of thepedal 23R shows the first half period (a pedal period) ranging from theuppermost position to the lowermost position. In turn, a left side ofthe sliding part 40R is used for sliding the sliding pin 42R when alocus of motion of the pedal 23R shows the second half period rangingfrom the lowermost position to the uppermost position.

In addition, since FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which the gear 28 isarranged at the right side toward a direction that the bicycle 10 isheaded, the rotating force transmitting mechanism 20 such as the pedallever 22R, the crank lever 30R and the sprocket 26, is shown as beingarranged at the right side of the bicycle 10. However, the rotatingforce transmitting mechanism 20 maybe arranged at the left side towardthe direction that the bicycle 10 is headed.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, to the left side of the bicycle 10toward the direction that the bicycle 10 is headed, are arranged themembers such as a pedal lever 22L, a crank lever 30L and a sliding part40L exclusive of the sprocket 26 and the chain 27 from the rotatingforce transmitting mechanism 20. Each of the detailed configuration andthe illustration of these members will be eliminated.

When the rotating force transmitting mechanism 20 is constructed asdescribed above, stepping-on force against the pedal 23R is transmittedto the sprocket 26 through the pedal lever 22R and the crank lever 30R.Since the chain 27 acting as a driving force transmitting means isplaced between the sprocket 26 and the rear wheel gear 28, the rotatingforce of the sprocket 26 is transmitted to the gear 28. Thereby, therear wheel 2 is driven to generate propulsion force for the bicycle 10.

FIG. 6 shows one example of a locus Q of motion of the pedal 23R whenstepping-on force is applied to the pedal 23R and the pedal 23R isreciprocated in one circle. The locus Q of motion of the pedal 23R showsa circular motion or a near linearly reciprocation motion in response toa position of a crossing point between the crank lever 30R and the pedallever 22R, and the length of the crank lever 30R.

At present, it is assumed that the locus Q of motion is changed like acircular motion→an ellipse motion→a linear motion in response to a ratioof each of the lengths of parts of the pedal lever 22R (AB : BC) wheneach of the points A, B, C and D is defined as those shown in FIG. 6.Here, A is defined as a position of the pedal 23R; B is defined as thecrossing point between the crank lever 30R and the pedal lever 22R; C isdefined as a position of an end of the pedal lever 22R, namely, thesliding pin 42R; and D is defined as the fixed position of the cranklever 30R and the shaft 26 a of the sprocket 26. It has been found that,in the case of AB: BC=BC: BD=2:1, the pedal 23R shows a locus Q of anapproximate linearly reciprocation motion.

FIG. 6 shows an example corresponding to an intermediate case in which alocus Q of motion approximates to the ellipse motion. It has been foundthat even if the locus Q approximates to an elliptical motion, the pedal23R moves along the substantial elliptical locus of motion of the firsthalf period thereof, and in turn moves along the substantial linearlocus of motion of the second half period thereof except the upper andlower dead centers.

A certain study has been performed to check what degree of numericalvalue is practically attained. When the rider has physical size, forexample, a height of about 165 to 170 cm, the moving wheels 1, 2 havingthe diameters of approximately 20 to 26 inches are used. In this case,it is appropriate that some numerical values (AB=200 to 300 mm, BC=100to 200 mm, BD=50 to 100 mm) are applied. At this time, it is sufficientthat a sliding length of the sliding part 40R is about 100 to 250 mm.

An experiment was carried out with values of AB=255 mm, BC=170 mm andBD=65 mm as indicated in FIG. 7. The sliding length at that time was 150mm. At this time, the locus became an ellipse locus shown in FIG. 6.

As described above, stepping-on force applied to the pedal 23R causesthe sprocket 26 to rotate while the oscillating fulcrum point of thepedal lever 22R is being slid laterally. Further, this rotating force ofthe sprocket 26 is transmitted to the rear wheel 2 through the chain 27and then, the bicycle 10 can be moved forward.

Similar propulsion force may also be attained with the stepping-on forceapplied to the opposite side pedal 23L (not shown). Although a part ofthe locus of these pedals 23 (23R, 23L) shows an ellipse one, theellipse has a long major axis so that the entire locus Q of motionapproximates to a linear.

As a result thereof, the pedal 23 may easily be stepped on. In addition,since stepping-on force on the pedal 23 becomes strong, a rotationaltorque caused by the pedal 23 is increased and the bicycle 10 can be runwith effect.

In addition, since the oscillating fulcrum point of the pedal lever 22(22R, 22L) is a horizontal sliding type, not a fixed point type, asmooth oscillation of the pedal 23 is obtained when the pedal is movedin one cycle. Incidentally, when the oscillating fulcrum point of thepedal lever 22 is fixed, it has been found that the pedal 23 can not bemoved.

Subsequently, other preferred embodiments of the bicycle 10 inaccordance with the present invention will be described.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the sliding part 40R is providedwith an opening 41R′ communicated to the sliding groove 41R. The slidingpin 42R has an enlarged portion 42R′ at its tip, which has a hexagonalsection. The sliding groove 41R is also formed as a hexagonal slightlylarger than the enlarged portion 42R′. The sliding pin 42R passesthrough the opening 41R′, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The enlargedportion 42R′ is slidably engaged within the sliding groove 41R with aslight clearance.

At least one hole 52R is bored at a set portion (for example, at aportion corresponding to a midpoint of the sliding groove 41R) on alower surface of the sliding part 40R and communicated with a narrowbottom portion 51R of the sliding groove 41R. The hole 52R allows thedust or the like to drop therefrom to outside of the sliding part 40Raccompanied by a slide of the enlarged portion 42R′. Therefore, about 3through 5 mm are sufficient for a diameter of the hole in considerationof diameters of the foreign particles such as sand.

Since the sliding groove is used in the opened state, dust and the likesometimes enter the sliding groove 41R in use or at a stop conditionthereof. In this case, the foreign particles such as dust entered thesliding groove 41R naturally are dropped to the narrow bottom portion51R of the sliding groove 41R. Accompanied by a slide of the enlargedportion 42R′ within the sliding groove 41R, the foreign particles aremoved in and along the narrow bottom portion 51R. The hole 52Rpositioned at a position on its way of the movement, causes the foreignparticles to drop therefrom to the outside of sliding groove 41R.

Namely, the enlarged portion 42R′ of the sliding pin 42R cleans thesliding groove 41R free of the foreign particles every time the enlargedportion 42R′ is slid in the sliding groove 41R. Therefore, when theforeign particles enter the sliding groove 41R, a smooth movement of thesliding pin 42R can remain.

Number of holes 52R and their bored positions are further conceivable inaddition to the ones of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 8. For example,two holes may be positioned at two positions near the right and left endportions in addition to a midpoint of the sliding groove 41R. Thus, whenthe foreign particles enter the sliding groove 41R, they can be removedfrom the sliding groove 41R through the above holes every time thesliding pin 42R is slid right or left.

FIG. 10 shows a sliding part of another preferred embodiment of theinvention. In the embodiment, brush members are used as a dust-resistantmeans. A pair of brush members 53R, 54R are used for removing from aninner wall (upper wall and lower wall) of the sliding groove 41R thedust and the like attached thereto, as shown in FIG. 10.

Each of the brush members 53R, 54R has the same constitution as eachother. The brush member 53R is formed so that both ends of a thin springplate 55R are folded obliquely and brushes 56Ra, 56Rb of, for example,sponge are attached to the folded portion of spring plate 55R to projecta part thereof from spring plate 55R.

A center portion of the spring plate 55R is fixed to the sliding pin 42Ras shown in FIG. 12. The spring plate 55R is fixed obliquely to thesliding pin 42R so that both of the brushes 56Ra, 56Rb can be slidablycontacted with the upper wall and the lower wall of the sliding groove41R simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 10.

The other brush member 54R is fixed to the sliding pin 42R so that itintersects the brush member 53R at right angles.

Further, a plural of holes, two holes 59Ra, 59Rb in this embodiment, arebored on the lower portion of the sliding part 40R and they arecommunicated with the sliding groove 41R. In this embodiment, 3 through5 mm are also suitable for the diameters of holes 59Ra, 59Rb.

Since the sliding groove 41R is also used in the opened state in thisembodiment, the foreign particles such as dust sometimes enter thesliding groove 41R. If so, the foreign particles entered the slidinggroove 41R may be removed from the sliding groove 41R to the outsidethrough holes 59Ra, 59Rb, accompanied by a movement of the enlargedportion 42R′ within the sliding groove 41R with the brushes 53R, 54Rsliding the inner wall of the sliding groove 41R.

Therefore, this frees the enlarged portion 42R′ from the foreignparticles to cause it to move in the sliding groove 41R. The slidinggroove 41R and the enlarged portion 42R′ of the sliding pin 42R are notinjured, and a smooth slide of the sliding pin 42R may remain.

FIG. 13 shows a sliding part of still another preferred embodiment ofthe invention. In this embodiment, brush members 53R, 54R are omitted.Only holes 59Ra, 59Rb are used for removing dust and the like. In suchan embodiment, the sliding groove 41R may be sufficiently cleaned.

Although a plate-like member is used as the frame 4 b in the aboveembodiments, FIGS. 14 through 18 show a sliding part of furtherpreferred embodiment wherein the invention applies to a bicycle usedpipe frames as the frame 4 b.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the rear wheel 2 and the frames 4b (80R, 80L) . In this embodiment, each of the frames 4 b is formed sothat two pipe frames 80Ra, 80Rb (80La, 80Lb) are arranged on upper andlower positions. The above sliding part 40R (40L) is arranged and fixedbetween the pipe frames 80Ra, 80Rb (80La, 80Lb).

FIG. 15 is a partly sectional view showing a state that the sliding part40R is attached to the frames 80Ra, 80Rb.

The sliding part 40R of rectangular solid shape is attached to the upperand lower pipe frames 80Ra, 80Rb with screw parts formed at opposite endportions of respective two rods passed through the pipe frames 80Ra,80Rb and the sliding part 40R being screwed on by the nuts 85R.

The sliding part 40R (40L) is made of a pair of plate-like frames 81Ra,81Rb arranged upwardly and downwardly, as shown in FIG. 16. Theplate-like frames 81Ra, 81Rb are fixed to each other with apredetermined space therebetween by two sleeves 84Ra, 84Rb respectivelypositioned longitudinally. FIG. 17 shows an example of attaching statethereof. In this example, the screwed sleeve 84Ra is used for attachingthe plate-like frames 81Ra, 81Rb and the nut 85R is used for tighteningthe screwed rod.

A housing formed by the plate-like frames 81Ra, 81Rb includes a guidemember 86R having a hollow section as shown in FIG. 18. The enlargedportion 42R′ is slidably positioned inside the hollow portion of theguide member 86R. An end of the sliding pin 42R is fixed to the enlargedportion 42R′. The other end of the sliding pin 42R is fixed to theextremity end of the pedal lever 22R.

A dust-proof belt 90R is movably attached to the housing, the plate-likeframes 81Ra, 81Rb so that the belt 90R encloses an inner space betweensaid frames 81Ra and 81Rb. The belt 90R is slidably engaged withperipheral grooves 92R, 92R which are respectively formed on the opposedinner surfaces of the frames 81Ra, 81Rb. The belt 90R acts as adust-proof means.

The sliding pin 42R passes through the belt 90R so that the sliding pin42R and the belt 90 may slide. The belt 90R is reinforced at a peripheryof the portion where the sliding pin 42R passes through, bystrengthening boss 91R (see FIG. 16). The belt 90R is made of, forexample, soft rubber to minimize sliding resistance. Further, thesliding resistance may be reduced by means of application of a lubricantinto the peripheral grooves 92R.

Since the belt 90R keeps the dust or the like from entering the slidingpart 40R, the enlarged portion 42R′ of sliding pin 42R may always beslid smoothly. Since the belt 90R also keeps water such as rain fromentering the sliding part 40R, this can provide a waterproof slidingpart 40R.

In addition, as the driving force transmitting means in the aforesaidpreferred embodiments, the chain driving system has been illustrated.However, it may be similarly applicable to a bicycle having a belt driveor a shaft drive driving system or the like. The present invention canbe applied to a bicycle having an auxiliary driving means installedtherein.

In accordance with the present invention, the rider of the bicycle stepson the pedal 23 so that the pedal lever 22 oscillates downwardly. Theforce applied to the pedal lever 22R is transmitted to the sprocket 26through the crank lever 30 to cause the sprocket 26 to rotate. Then, theoscillating fulcrum point of the pedal lever 22 is moved, not beingfixed, laterally within the sliding part 40. Rotating force of thesprocket 26 is transmitted to the rear wheel 2 through the chain 27, andthen the bicycle 10 can be moved forward.

Further, when the pedal lever is stepped on, the oscillating fulcrumpoint is moved smoothly in a lateral direction. Even if the loci ofrotating motion of the pedal at the first half period and the secondhalf period are different to each other, the motion of the pedal becomesquite smooth.

Since the sliding part in the bicycle according to this invention isprovided with the dust-resistant member, the bicycle can easily removethe foreign particles such as dust, if they enter the sliding part,therefrom by the dust-resistant member.

Further the bicycle according to this invention perfectly keeps foreignparticles from entering the sliding part. As a result thereof, thesliding part such as the sliding groove and the sliding pin, is notinjured by the foreign particles and a faulty locus Q of motion of thepedal of the bicycle 60 does not occur. Therefore, the motion of thepedal keeps quite smooth.

While the above is a complete description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, various alternatives, modifications and equivalents maybe used. Therefore, the above description should not be taken aslimiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle comprising: a frame constituting achassis; a steering mechanism attached to the frame; a seat for seatinga rider attached to the frame; a pair of moving wheels rotatablyarranged at the frame on a front side and a rear side of the frame, saidrear side moving wheel acting as a driving wheel; a pair of pedal levershaving a phase difference of 180° with respect to each other tooscillate alternatively up and down; a pair of pedals operativelyconnected one each to said pair of pedal levers; a sprocket arrangednear a bottom bracket point in the frame between said pair of pedals andsaid rear side wheel; driving force transmitting means for transmittingrotating force of the sprocket to the rear side moving wheel; a cranklever arranged between the sprocket and the pedal lever so as totransmit force of the pedal lever to the sprocket; a sliding part foracting as an oscillating fulcrum point of the pedal lever; and adust-resistant enclosure provided with the sliding part, saiddust-resistant enclosure comprising: a housing substantially enclosingsaid sliding part, said housing having an opening; two reclosable covermembers disposed at said opening to close said opening; an interlockinginterface between said two reclosable cover members, said interfaceremaining interlocked except where said sliding part extendstherethrough; and a covering member associated with said sliding member,said covering member covering an unlocked portion of said interfacewhere said sliding part extends therethrough, and said covering memberinterlocking the cover members at said interface downstream of saidsliding part as said sliding part slides along said interface; wherein asliding pin arranged at one end of said pedal lever is slid within saidsliding part as said pedal lever is oscillated, and wherein the forceaccompanied by the oscillation of said pedal lever is transmitted tosaid rear wheel through said sprocket.
 2. The bicycle according to claim1 wherein said frame extending between a bottom bracket point and therear wheel includes a plate and a dust cover for covering said slidingpart.